Police used pepper spray tonight against participants in a series of ongoing protests in Male' for journalists' rights, directly contradicting promises made by the current administration before coming to power.
Journalists participating in the protest reported seeing a large number of police officers surround the demonstrators, specifically targeting individuals and spraying pepper spray directly into their faces.
Visuals from the scene indicate that an unusually high number of police officers were deployed across the streets of Male' tonight, using disproportionate force and intimidation tactics against those protesting peacefully.
Despite the crackdown, protesters continued to march through the streets of the capital without hesitation. They are calling for the release of detained journalists and protesters, as well as the resignation of President Muizzu.
Amending the law to broaden the right to protest in Male' was a key pledge made by President Muizzu, and it remains a component of the government's legislative agenda as outlined in its manifesto. However, the administration's current actions stand in direct violation of those promises.
